Ireland is one of the ‘world’s most prosperous countries’

Ireland has been named as one of the ten most prosperous countries in the world in a survey that evaluates the quality of life of a country’s citizens.

Ireland finished above neighbours the UK in the list, as well as countries such as the USA, Germany, France and Japan.

The report – the Legatum Prosperity Index 2015 – assesses where every country ranks for areas such as economy, enterprise and opportunity, governance, education, health, safety and security, personal freedom and social capital.

It then totals up the scores of each table and gives each of the world’s 142 countries an overall ranking.

The 2015 report reveals that Ireland has moved up two places since last year and is now ranked tenth in the world.

Ireland finished in the top ten for several categories including education, safety and security, personal freedom and social capital.

Ireland is also one of the most tolerant countries in the world towards immigrants – finishing in the top five along with Canada, Norway, New Zealand and Iceland.

Norway topped the overall list, as it has done for seven years in a row. It always excels thanks to the freedom it offers its citizens, the quality of its healthcare system and social bonds between its people.

Their fellow Scandinavians Denmark finished third, with Switzerland, in second place, making up the top three.

Indonesia is the most improved country. In seven years it has risen 21 places to number 69 in the rankings. Tunisia, by contrast, has fallen 28 places to number 97.